ensure

verb

en·​sure in-ˈshu̇r 

ensured; ensuring

transitive verb

: to make sure, certain, or safe : guarantee

Did you know?

Do you ensure or insure?

There is considerable confusion about whether ensure and insure are distinct words, variants of the same word, or some combination of the two. They are in fact different words, but with sufficient overlap in meaning and form as to create uncertainty as to which should be used when. We define ensure as “to make sure, certain, or safe” and one sense of insure, “to make certain especially by taking necessary measures and precautions,” is quite similar. But insure has the additional meaning “to provide or obtain insurance on or for,” which is not shared by ensure. Some usage guides recommend using insure in financial contexts (as in “she insured her book collection for a million dollars”) and ensure in the general sense “to make certain” (as in “she ensured that the book collection was packed well”).

Synonyms

• assure
• cinch
• guarantee
• guaranty
• ice
• insure
• secure

Choose the Right Synonym for ensure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure.

ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee

the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

Examples of ensure in a Sentence

A combination of … personal courage, dashing leadership from the front, willingness to share the toughest rigours suffered by the ordinary soldiers, and a liberal dose of sheer good fortune ensured his stature as a great general. —Paul Cartledge, History Today, July 2004

Indeed, even though she's been off the mainstream radar for more than a decade, her passionate love for and commitment to rock & roll have ensured that she's managed to make a steady living. —Tom Sinclair, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Nov. 2000

At 20, [Kobe] Bryant is already living the modern American dream, a $70 million man on the NBA's glamour team in the nation's starriest city. His acrobatic moves make him the envy of teenage boys and his good looks and megawatt smile a heartthrob for teenage girls, ensuring his status as one of the NBA's premier pitchmen … —Allison Samuels et al., Newsweek, 31 May 1999

They took steps to ensure the safety of the passengers.

regulations that ensure the wholesomeness of our food

Recent Examples on the Web

Their desire for freedom from oppression meant ensuring people could speak their minds, pursue their dreams and live without fear of tyranny. —Peggy O’Neal Faith Matters, arkansasonline.com, 19 Oct. 2024

Gratitude and support go a long way to ensure an evergreen collaboration. —Jeanne M. Stafford, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

There are a few subscription options to choose from, but all of them ensure easy delivery of bold, beautiful floral curations on a regular basis. —Malia Griggs, SELF, 18 Oct. 2024

Aides have been working to ensure this long-haul tour is not too taxing on Charles. —Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French ensurer, alteration of assurer — more at assure

First Known Use

1744, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ensure

verb

en·​sure in-ˈshu̇(ə)r 

ensured; ensuring

: to make sure, certain, or safe : guarantee